You made shrimp for dinner and your dog is giving you the eye. Can you feed your dog shrimp? The short answer is yes, but only if it is cooked, and especially in small amounts. If you feed raw shrimp to your dog, you run the risk of the dog developing shellfish toxicity.
Is Shrimp Healthy for My Dog?
If you feed your dog shrimp on a regular basis, it actually does not have many health benefits. This is primarily because dogs did not eat shrimp as part of their natural diet. Therefore, the dog’s body
On the other hand, shrimp is relatively easy to digest, and low in calories. It also has healthy vitamins like phosphorous, b-vitamins like B12 and niacin, and is high in anti-oxidants. It might serve well as an occasional treat, especially if one happened to fall off the dining room table.
The Dangers of Eating Shrimp
If not prepared properly, shrimp can cause more dangers than just shellfish toxicity. For instance, choosing to leave the shell on can be a choking hazard and is more difficult to digest. As a side note, it is also always good to devein the shrimp.
Finally, there is a huge difference between plain, cooked shrimp, and shrimp prepared in butter and garlic, or fried. The latter is bound to cause inflammation and more digestive issues, and is definitely something to avoid. This would not feel like a treat to your dog!
Conclusion
While shrimp might be a fun and spontaneous idea to feed your dog, it is not the best thing nutritionally. Having never been part of the natural diet, the dog will not know what it is missing.
